title: Differences in sexual behaviour in male and female rodents: role of serotonin.
abstract: Serotonin plays an important role in both male and female sexual behaviour. In general, reduction of 5-HT function facilitates, whereas enhancement inhibits sexual behaviour. Most fundamental research on the involvement of 5-HT in sex has been performed in rats. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have comparable effects on male and female sexual behaviour in rats; they inhibit it but only after chronic administration. Activation of the 5-HT(1A) receptor facilitates sexual behaviour in male rats but inhibits sexual behaviour in female rats, suggesting a differential role for 5-HT(1A) receptors in male and female rats. Research on sexual behaviour in rats with null mutations in the serotonin transporter (SERT) indicated also a differential role for 5-HT(1A) receptors in male and female sexual behaviour. Evidence exists that different pools of 5-HT(1A) receptors have differential roles in various parts of the cascade of sexual events occurring during sexual interactions. Roles for other 5-HT receptors are less well defined although 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(2A/B) and 5-HT(7) receptors seem to be involved. Identification of putative differential or comparable roles in female and male sexual activities requires more research.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584, CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. b.olivier@uu.nl
authors.forename: Berend
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.forename: Johnny S W
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Eelke M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Snoeren
authors.forename: Jocelien D A
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.forename: Jan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Veening
authors.forename: Christiaan H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Vinkers
authors.forename: Marcel D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Waldinger
authors.forename: Ronald S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Oosting
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000235:genetics; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin